I Grew Up Blue

Liberty, Life, Peace 1 Minute 
I grew up blue
in a little red state
in a little red town.
I played 
with the red kids.
My blue parents 
didn’t put
red parents down
for believing
Differently.
That was great.
We respected
opinions and choices.
Votes were our voices.
We didn’t see
Color—
red or blue.
Only people,
and what's true—
like a person's heart 
and character.
Maybe—
we can agree—
You do you.
I’ll do me.

I realize that living well is an art which can be developed. Of course, you will need the basic talents to build upon: They are a love of life and ability to take great pleasure from small offerings, and assurance that the world owes you nothing and that every gift is exactly that, a gift. That people who may differ from you in political stance, sexual persuasion, and racial inheritance can be founts of fun, and if you are lucky, they can become even convivial comrades.

Maya Angelou

Published by Crystal Byers

When I was young, my dad would always say, "Crystal, you can choose your attitude." One day I chose to believe him.

Published

70 thoughts on “I Grew Up Blue”

  2. Very true Crystal. As kids, we do not think of all individuals as being the same because they belong to one group or another. We learn this as adults. In what is going on right now, it is important to separate the views and the actions of the leader from the party and determine if you agree or disagree with them. This is true for both blue and red. Vote for the person you most admire. That should eliminate the undecided vote. Here is wishing my Southern friends the best outcome on election day and for years to come. Allan

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  7. I love this Crystal! I grew up “blue” too, but in northern Minnesota where it seemed a lot of us were “blue”. Or so I thought anyway. Those were different times when we all weren’t so ready to get on our high horses of self-righteousness though, right?

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  9. I love this post. Everything starts with falling in love with life. Realizing that I can only know my own “house,” my opinion means nothing, although it’s fun to express with accepting people. Be well my friend.

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  10. (Sigh….a deep sigh in hope…abiding).

    Simple things bring me to tears these days. I dunno known why a prayer will bring about tears. It’s embarrassing, but it is.

    Id like to think these spring from a fountain of hope, mercy and grace that had been long capped-off, and the many new prayers I see lately (and hear) spur me on to wake every day to find like minded souls living imperfect lives; yet are willing to see beyond the skin and into the heart of any matter. See? Prayer. It’s how some choose to live. It is beautiful!

    Here is the well of hope, mercy and grace that would rise up from the darkness and sparkle in the light; in relief.

    God bless you blue girl!

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  11. Great Post! I hate how Trump has turned people and families against one another. I pray there is no violence at voting precincts. But it will not surprise me. I saw and heard him ask his base to go and watch. That is completely against the law. I hope he is defeated, but not because he is red, but instead to get him out of office before a civil war or more problems happen.

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  18. I grew up in a red state but always felt like I should be in a blue state… so I can relate. I did end up living in a blue state for a while but now I live in what is often referred to as a swing state. At the end of the day, it’s mostly a lot of the same people who just happen to have different views. 🙃

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  20. Thank you for sharing!!.. “Maybe I’m not so different from everyone else after all. It’s like somebody gave me a puzzle, but I don’t have the box with the picture on it. So I don’t know what the final thing is supposed to look like. I’m not even sure if I have all the pieces.” (Sharon M. Draper(… 🙂

    Hope all is well in your part of the universe and life is all that you wish for it to be!.. 🙂

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  22. I don’t know how we got to the point where we think that red/blue has to separate us and make us hate each other, but I really don’t like it. Thank you so much for this post…..it’s what we need to hear. And more importantly, how we need to live.

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  23. I think everyone needs to vote for RESPECT, both self-respect and respect for others. The Bible tells us to “give honor to whom honor is due” and in another place, “Honor all men; love the brotherhood.” If only we could catch how vital respect is to our existence.

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  25. I am beginning to wonder if we will ever hear, “Kumbaya” sung again. The divide is so wide! The vitriol is so deep! I used to post the Golden Rule as stated in many religions in my classroom. ❤ Loved your beautiful poem! ❤

    Have a great weekend, Crystal!

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  29. How Nice, dear Crystal ! You’re wonderful, dear Blue !

    “We respected opinions and choices, #vote s were our Voices.”
    _

    #Election2020 #ElectionDay #Vote2020 #USA

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